Thursday, January 15, 2009

Deer released into tiger reserve

Deer released into tiger reserve

KOLKATA, Jan. 14 : The wildlife wing of the state forest department has released 25 spotted deer into the core area of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve today, in an effort to increase the population of tiger prey.

The wildlife authorities have concluded that a dearth of prey in the Sunderban Tiger Reserve may be causing the recent instances of tigers straying into human territory. In order to address the situation, the authorities have decided to release deer and hogs into the core area of the reserve, on an experimental basis. According to a senior official of the wildlife wing, a decision has been made to set up a treatment and rehabilitation centre over 200 acres of land at Jharkhali, to operate in addition to the 100 acres already in the hands of the forest department. The new centre will treat sick and injured animals, as well as providing food to the tigers during their rehabilitation. Two centres at Kultali and Canning respectively will also be established to deal with incidents of tigers straying into the localities. n SNS